Ice fishing net

ABSTRACT

An ice fishing net comprises an elongate handle having a gripping portion for grasping by a user and a net rim assembly attached to the handle. The net rim assembly includes first and second semicircular rim members with the first rim member fixedly mounted relative to the handle and the second rim member rotatably mounted relative to the first rim member and rotatable from a first position to a second position to form a substantially circular rim. A trigger assembly selectively allows the second rim member to rotate from a first position to a second position. Netting material is secured to the first and second rim members to form a net for receiving a fish therein when the second rim member is its second position. A biasing device forces the second rim member from the first position to the second position when released by the trigger assembly.

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The field of the invention relates generally to nets used forrecreational fishing, and more specifically, to a fishing net configuredfor use when ice fishing to retrieve fish from a hole that has beenbored through a layer of ice that has formed on a lake or other body ofwater.

[0003] 2. Background of the Invention

[0004] Ice fishing is becoming more and more popular among avidfisherman in the United States and Canada where the climate permits suchactivity during the winter months. Ice fishing has become a popularleisure activity for many men and women, commonly collectively referredto as anglers, who enjoy fishing during the warmer months and desire tofish when the weather turns cold and lakes and reservoirs freeze. Suchfishing conditions, however, present their own unique problems andchallenges.

[0005] A typical setup for an ice fishing angler includes a fishing poleto which a reel containing fishing line is attached. The line is fedthrough several eyelets attached to the length of the pole at spacedintervals. To the free end of the line, an angler will attach a lure ora hook and attach bait to the hook. In order to access the depths of afrozen pond or lake and thus to get the lure or bait to the fish, theangler must drill or have drilled a hole through the layer of ice. Thehole must be of sufficient diameter to not only enter the bait or lureinto the water but to retrieve any fish that may be caught. As such,typical hole diameters are 6, 8 or 10 inches. Once the hole is drilledthrough the ice, the angler can lower the bait or lure through the holeand into the water.

[0006] Once a fish is caught, the fish must be retrieved through thehole. Such a feat is often difficult as it is usually necessary tomaintain proper tension on the line so that it does not exceed thebreaking strength of the line or allow slack in the line which may allowthe fish to free itself from the hook (especially when barbless hooksare used). In addition, once the fish leaves the water, the weight ofthe fish alone may exceed the breaking strength of the line. As such,anglers typically employ a retrieving device, such as a hand held net,to help retrieve the fish once it has been brought to within reachingdistance of the angler. With respect to ice fishing, such nets must beconfigured to fit within the ice fishing hole. The hole itself istypically a cylindrically shaped bore extending one or more feet throughthe ice, depending on the thickness of the ice. As such, typical fishingnets which have sizes larger than the ice fishing hole are not useful astheir size prevents them from being inserted into the hole. Furthermore,smaller nets that may be insertable into the ice fishing hole are notconfigured to fill the entire diameter of the hole to prevent a fishfrom falling between the wall of the ice fishing hole and the frame ofthe fishing net.

[0007] When ice fishing, an angler typically employs the use of a gaspowered auger which is capable of boring a hole into the ice. As such,the hole will have a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the augerused. As discussed, such augers come standard in sizes ranging fromabout six inches in diameter to ten inches in diameter. Because thefishing hole often has a standard diameter and most anglers utilize asingle auger having a particular size, it is possible to configure anice fishing net for fitting within a particular diameter ice hole. Forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,872, an apparatus for retrieving fishcaught while ice fishing is disclosed in which a support member ismounted to a base member that is supported by the upper surface of anice layer. The support member is extended and retracted through the icehole and is operative to support a fish during such motion. An extensionand retrieval mechanism, such as a slide rod interconnecting the baseand support member whereby a fish caught on a fishing line may bemaneuvered to the ice hole, and onto the support member and supportedduring upward movement through the ice hole. The support member may bepivoted out of alignment with the ice hole so as not to obstruct thelower opening thereto, and biased against the ice layer lower openingthereto, and biased against the ice layer lower surface in a readyposition. An adjustable limit stop accommodates ice layers of variedthicknesses. The base member is preferably a circular collar, and thesupport member a pan element with drain holes. A major problem with theforegoing apparatus for retrieving fish while ice fishing is that thepan must be inserted below the ice layer and thus must include asufficiently long handle to extend a required amount into the ice hole.Furthermore, the device can only be used in one hole as the device ismounted to the ice layer. Additionally, when used in lakes where thedepth of the ice may be several feet, the size of the device may becomecumbersome to maneuver and operate. Moreover, the ability of thefisherman to both hold tension in the fishing line while retrieving thefish and to maneuver the device is likely to be quite difficult.

[0008] A similar device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,940 in whicha stationary tube is attached along a side of the hole in the icesupports a rod having a handle at its upper end and a horizontal gateplate at its lower end. The rod is pivotable by the handle so as toswing the gate into a closed position at the bottom end of the hole, andthe plate is then movable upwardly so to bring the fish to the top endof the hole in the ice. As with the aforementioned patent, the device ofthe U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,940 patent requires the device to be secured tothe ice hole and extend to the bottom of the layer of ice.

[0009] Several other ice nets and ice skimmers have been developed thatdo not require the device to be lowered below the layer of ice. In thealternative, devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.3,289,850, 3,856,787 and 5,140,767 teach the use of a plate or scoopthat can be actuated to a closed position once the device is loweredinto the ice hole. U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,850 discloses an ice skimmer inwhich the skimmer is pivotally connect to a handle. Because it is oftendesirable to remove ice that forms in the ice hole, ice skimmers areused to keep the ice hole clear for easier fish removal. The skimmershown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,850 is lowered into the ice hole with theskimmer lying against the handle. Once the skimmer is lowered and thehandle is pulled upwardly out of the ice hole, it is intended that theskimmer will open to fill the hole to remove ice in the ice hole.

[0010] A similar device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,787 in which anice skimmer includes a mechanically actuated skimmer. The skimmer ofU.S. Pat. No. 3,857,787 employs the use of an handle which can beactuated to manipulate the skimmer. Thus, once lowered into the ice holein a vertical position, the skimmer can be rotated to a horizontalposition and then lifted to remove the ice from the ice hole.

[0011] The ice net of U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,767 operates similarly to theskimmer of U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,787 in that an actuatable handle isutilized to close the ice net once a fish is positioned above a scoop inthe ice hole. In the open position (i.e., when the scoop is in avertical position), the scoop will necessary obstruct a substantialportion of the ice hole. That is, for a scoop having a diameter close tothe diameter of the ice hole, the scoop will necessarily be positionedaway from the side wall of the ice hole thus reducing the effectivediameter of the hole as the ice net is lowered pass the fish. As thefish is typically moving to try to free itself, the lower end of the icescoop can actually impinge upon the fish at the point of the hook anddislodge the hook from the fish thus freeing the fish.

[0012] Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an ice fishingnet that does not have to be inserted into an ice hole completelythrough the layer of ice to be operable. It would also be advantageousto provide an ice fishing net that provides little obstruction in theice hole when inserted therein so that the net can pass by a fish in anice hole held on a line by an angler without dislodging the fish fromthe line. It would still be a further advantage to provide an icefishing net that is operable with one hand so that the angler can hold afishing pole with one hand and maneuver and operate the fishing net withthe other hand. These and other advantages will become apparent from areading of the following description of the preferred embodiments of anice fishing net in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an icefishing net that is capable of retrieving a fish from a hole that hasbeen formed in the ice by an angler when ice fishing.

[0014] It is another object of the present invention to provide an icefishing net that does not substantially obstruct the ice hole when usedby an angler to retrieve a fish from the ice hole when ice fishing.

[0015] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anice fishing net that can be operated with one hand by an angler toretrieve a fish from the ice hole when ice fishing.

[0016] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anice fishing net that simple to operate and relatively lightweight.

[0017] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anice fishing net that is self actuating.

[0018] It is still another object of the present invention to provide anice fishing net that is self supporting in a standing position.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an icefishing net that can service multiple holes.

[0020] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an icefishing net that can enter the hole while the fish is in the hole,bypass the fish and prevent the fish from exiting the bottom of thehole.

[0021] Still another object of the present invention is to provide anice fishing net that does not require the angler to put his or her handsin the water.

[0022] In accordance with these and other objects herein discussed, aswell as those that will be understood to one of skill in the art uponreview of the present invention, an ice fishing net in accordance withthe principles of the present invention comprises an elongate handlehaving a distal end and a proximal end and a net assembly connected tothe handle proximate the distal end. The net assembly has a first rimportion fixedly mounted relative to the handle, a second rim portionpivotally mounted relative to the first rim portion, and a net supportedby the first and second rim portions. The second rim portion is biasedto rotate from a first position to a second position. A trigger assemblyis connected to the handle and linked to the second rim portion forholding the first rim portion in the first position and for selectivelyreleasing the first rim portion to allow it to rotate from the firstposition to the second position.

[0023] The handle preferably comprises an elongate tube. The triggerassembly preferably comprises a release lever coupled to an elongate rodwithin the elongate tube. The rod has a proximal end coupled to therelease lever for rotation of the rod and a distal end having a releasearm for grasping the second rim portion when the second rim portion isin the first position.

[0024] In another preferred embodiment, the elongate handle is comprisedof a tube and has a first portion having a first longitudinal axis and asecond portion having a second longitudinal axis. The first longitudinalaxis and the second longitudinal axis have an angle between them suchthat a bend is formed in the handle for easier single handed use by anangler.

[0025] The trigger assembly preferably includes a biasing member coupledto a slidable member within the handle for biasing the slidable membertoward the proximal end of the handle. A release pin is inserted througha hole in the handle and is capable of holding the slidable member awayfrom the proximal end of the handle. Releasing the pin, releases theslidable member to allow the slidable member to slide toward theproximal end of the handle as it is pulled by the biasing member. Acable, wire or other such member is coupled between the second rimportion and the slidable member so that movement of the slidable membertoward the proximal end of the handle rotates the second rim portion tothe second position.

[0026] The first rim portion and the second rim portion preferably havesemicircular configurations with similar radii. The radii are less thana radius of an ice hole in which the ice fishing net is to be used whilesubstantially encircling the an ice hole when the second rim portion isin the second position. Such a configuration substantially fills the icehole to prevent a fish from escaping between the net and the ice holewhile not interfering with operation of the ice fishing net.

[0027] The ice fishing net also preferably includes a rim retainingmember depending from the second rim portion positioned for engagementwith the release arm when the second rim member is in the firstposition.

[0028] In yet another preferred embodiment, the ice fishing net includesan abutment member fixedly secured relative to the first rim member toprevent over rotation of the second rim member when the second rimmember swings from the first position to the second position.

[0029] In still another preferred embodiment, the fishing net includinga rim engaging member for holding the second rim member in the secondposition so that the second rim portion does not sag from the weight ofa captured fish.

[0030] In yet another preferred embodiment, the fishing net includes aspring coupled to the second rim member for forcing the second rimmember from the first position to the second position.

[0031] In another preferred embodiment, the fishing net includes a firstframe member and a second frame member each fixedly mounted relative tothe first rim portion. The second rim portion is pivotally mounted toand between the first frame member and the second frame member. A legmember depends from the second rim member so that when the second rimmember is in the first position, the leg member and the first and secondframe members are capable of supporting the handle in a standingposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

[0032] In the drawings, which illustrate what is currently considered tobe the best mode for carrying out the invention:

[0033]FIG. 1A is a side view of a first preferred embodiment of an icefishing net in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0034]FIG. 1B is a front view of the ice fishing net illustrated in FIG.1A;

[0035]FIG. 1C is a top view of the ice fishing net illustrated in FIGS.1A and 1B;

[0036]FIG. 2A is a top view of a net assembly for an ice fishing net inaccordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0037]FIG. 2B is a side view of the net assembly illustrated in FIG. 2A;

[0038]FIG. 3A is a front view of a rim retaining member in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

[0039]FIG. 3B is a side view of the rim retaining member of FIG. 3A;

[0040]FIG. 4A is a front view of a rod used for releasing of the rimmember when the rod is in a “release” position in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 4B is a front view of the rod of FIG. 4B in a “ready”position to hold the rim member in a first position in accordance withthe principles of the present invention;

[0042]FIG. 5A is a side view of a portion of a first preferredembodiment of a handle/trigger assembly in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

[0043]FIG. 5B is a front view of the handle/trigger assembly illustratedin FIG. 5A;

[0044]FIG. 5C is a not view of a first preferred embodiment of therelease lever illustrated in FIG. 5A;

[0045]FIG. 6 is a top view of handle and rim assemblies in accordancewith the principles of the present invention;

[0046]FIG. 7A is a side view of a second preferred embodiment of an icefishing net with the net in a “released” position in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention;

[0047]FIG. 7B is a front view of the ice fishing net illustrated in FIG.7A; and

[0048]FIG. 8 is a side view of the ice fishing net illustrated in FIGS.7A and 7B with the net in a “ready” position in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049]FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C show side, front and top views, respectively,of a first preferred embodiment of an ice fishing net, generallyindicated at 10, in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention. The net 10 is comprised of a handle portion 12 and a netportion 14. The handle portion 12 includes a release lever 16 that isconfigured to rotate a rod 18 and allow the net portion 14 to springinto an open position as is shown in FIG. 1A.

[0050] The handle portion 12 is comprised of an elongate substantiallyrigid tube 20 having a proximal end 22 and a distal end 24. A grippinghandle 26 is substantially perpendicularly attached relative to the tube20 to provide a handle for gripping with one hand by an angler. Thegripping handle 26 is used in combination with the release lever 16 tocause actuation of the net portion 14. That is, the release lever 16 canbe pulled toward the gripping handle 26 to release the net portion 14.The release mechanism, generally indicated at 30 is housed within thehousing 32 and comprises the release lever 16 which is pivotallyconnected relative to the housing 32, the rod 18 and a release arm 34(see FIG. 1B) as will be described in more detail herein.

[0051] The net portion 14 is comprised of a netting material 36 which ismounted to first and second rim portions 38 and 40. The netting material36 may be attached to the rim portions 38 and 40 as with an elongatesegment of webbing material interwoven through the netting material 36and secured to the rim as with rivets or other types of fasteners knownin the art. For the rim portion 40, the netting material 36 may bethreaded directly onto the rim portion 40 so that the top edge of thenetting material 36 engages the rim portion 40. The first rim portion 38is fixedly mounted relative to the tube 20 and the second rim portion 40is pivotally mounted relative to the first rim portion 24. The secondrim portion 40 is illustrated in an open position, that is, in aposition in which the net is open to receive a fish therein. When in theopen position, the first and second rim members, 38 and 40,respectively, form a hoop preferably having a diameter near the diameterof the ice hole 50 that is being fished. Of course, those of skill inthe art will appreciate that the diameter of the hole 50 may be greaterthan the diameter of the hoop formed by the first and second rimmembers, 38 and 40 respectively, and still be effective in retrieving afish from an ice hole 50. Having the hoop diameter close to the diameterof the ice hole 50, however, reduces the possibility that a fish couldfit between the hoop formed by the first and second rim members 38 and40 and the wall of the ice hole 50.

[0052] To provide additional support for the first rim member 38, asupport frame 42 is attached to and between the first rim member 38 andthe tube 20. The frame 42 is comprised of first and second upright framemembers 44 and 46, respectively, and semicircular frame member 48 whichis spaced above the first rim member 38 and attached to the tube 20. Thesupport frame 42 helps to prevent the first and second rim members 38and 40 from pivoting relative to the distal end 24 of the tube 20 when afish is contained in the net 36.

[0053]FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate top and side views of the rim members38 and 40 relative to an ice hole 50. The rim member 40 is rotatablebetween a first position (indicated in solid lines) and a secondposition (indicated in dashed lines). When the rim member 40 is in afirst position, the release arm 34 can be rotated so as to retain therim member 40 in the first position by resting against a first rimretaining member 52 which depends from the rim member 40 and extendsinwardly therefrom at a first side 54 thereof. In the first position,the rim member 40 is biased away from the rim member 38 as with abiasing member 56. The biasing member may comprise a coil spring securedrelative to the point of rotation of the rim member 40. As such, thebiasing member 56 includes a first arm 58 which abuts against the framemember 44 and a second arm 60 which abuts against the first side 54 ofthe rim member 40 so as to swing the rim member 40 from its firstposition to its second position. As such, when the release arm 34 isrotated from a first position as shown in FIG. 2B to a second position(i.e., rotated inwardly) so that the retaining member 34 no longerengages the rim retaining member 52, the rim member 40 will swing fromthe first position to the second position.

[0054] When the rim 40 is in the first position, the rim members 38 and40 are substantially concentric and have substantially similardiameters. As such, with the net 36 attached (se FIG. 1A) the net willonly lie in half of the ice hole 50 and the net will hang against onehalf of the side wall of the ice hole 50. When the rim member 40 is inthe second position, the rim members 38 and 40 form a circular rimmember that substantially fills the ice hole. With the net 36 attached,it would be quite difficult for a fish to fit between the rim members 38and 40 and the ice hole 50.

[0055] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the rim member 40 ispivotally attached to the rim member 40 as with hollow cylindrical postmembers 62 and 64. The rim member 40 is provided with circular bores 66and 68, respectively, for fitting over and pivotally attaching relativeto the post members 62 and 64. The coil spring 56 is positioned withinthe cylindrical post 68 and is retained therein with the arm members 58and 60 which extend out from the cylindrical post 68.

[0056] In order to form a free standing fisting net 10, a rear standingmember or leg 70 is attached to the rim 40 near its longitudinal center.The leg 70 is attached so as to have a length substantially equal to thedistance between the second side 55 and the distal end 72 of the framemember 44. As such, the distal ends of the frame members 44 and 46 (seeFIG. 1B) and the leg 70 form three legs or a tripod for supporting thenet 10 in a free standing position. Thus, when the rim member 40 isloaded, i.e., held in its first position, the net 10 can be stood nextto the ice hole for quick access by an angler when the net 10 is needed.

[0057] When the rim member 40 swings to its second position, an abutmentmember 74 which is rigidly attached to the frame member 46 prevents therim member 40 from swinging past a horizontal position. That is, becausethe biasing device 56 encourages the rim member 40 to rotate away fromthe rim member 38 from a first position to a second position and becauseit is desirable that when the rim member 40 is in its second positionthe effective diameter of the first and second rim members 38 and 40 bemaximized, the abutment member 74 prevents the rim member 40 from overrotating. In addition, when the rim member 40 rotates to the secondposition, the force of the biasing device 56 would have to besufficiently strong enough to not only support the weight of the rimmember 40 in its second position but a fish contained in the net.Accordingly, a rim engaging member 76 is provided to prevent the rimmember 40 from rotating back toward the first position after the rimmember 40 has rotated to the second position.

[0058] Referring now to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rim engaging member 76 iscomprised of an elongate plate that is formed from a flexible materialsuch as a sheet of spring steel. The rim engaging member 76 is attacheto the rim member 38 (see FIG. 2B) proximate its proximal end 77 as withbore 79 and a fastener as is known in the art for attaching suchcomponents. The rim engaging member 76 is formed with two bends 80 and82 proximate its distal end 84 to form a ramp portion 86 and an abutmentportion 88. When the rim member 40 rotates to its second position, therim member 40 will first engage the ramp portion 86 causing the rimengaging member 76 to bend in the direction of arrow 91 allowing the rimmember 40 to slide up the ramp portion 86 until it passes the bend 82.At that point, the rim engaging member 76 will return to its pre-bentposition. When a weight is applied to the rim 40 as when a fish ispresent in the net, the rim member 40 will rest upon the abutmentportion 88 to hold the rim member 40 in its second position. To returnthe rim member 40 to its first position, the rim engaging member 76 canbe manually bent in the direction of arrow 91 to allow the rim member 40to be rotated passed the abutment portion 88.

[0059]FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate the rod 18 which is configured toretain the rim member 40 when the rim member 40 is in a first or“loaded” position. The rod 18 extends from proximate the handle assemblyto the net assembly through the handle 20 (see FIG. 1A). The rod 18 isheld relative to the housing 32 with bracket member 90 secured to thewall 128 of the housing 32. The bracket 90 stabilizes the proximal endof the rod 18. The bracket 90 is secured relative to the rod 18 so as tosubstantially prevent vertical movement of the rod while allowingrotation of the rod 18 relative to the bracket. Such an attachment maybe accomplished with threaded fasteners 94-97 threaded onto threadsformed in the proximal end 92 of the rod 18. Those of skill in the artwill appreciate that other means of fastening the bracket to the rod 18while allowing rotation of the rod 18 relative thereto may also beemployed. Proximate the distal end 100 of the rod 18, a bend 102 isformed in the rod 18 to form the release arm 34. A collar 104 isattached proximate the release arm 34 and is positioned within the tube20 when the when the net is assembled. The collar 104 helps tolongitudinally align the rod 18 within the tube 20 proximate the distalend 24 of the tube 20. Rotation of the bracket 90 causes rotation of therelease arm 34 from a first position as shown in FIG. 4B where therelease arm is able to hold the rim member 40 in its first position to asecond position shown in FIG. 4A where the release arm 34 allows the rimmember 40 to swing to its second position.

[0060]FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate the release lever 16 as it isemployed to rotate the rod 18 for releasing the rim member 40 (shown inFIG. 1A). The release lever 16 is pivotally attached to the housing 32.A first bracket member 110 is attached to the lever 16 and includes afirst bore 112 there through for attached to a second bracket member 114secured to the wall 116 of the housing 32. A pin or threaded fastener118 secures the first bracket member 110 to the second bracket member114 while allowing free rotation of the first bracket member 110relative to the second bracket member 114. As shown in FIG. 5C, therelease lever has a first portion 120 with an S-like configuration. Thisallows the proximal portion 122 which is configured for grasping by theangler to lie beneath the handle 26 so that the proximal portion 122 canbe pulled toward the handle 26. The distal portion 124 extends upwardlyfrom the first portion 120 for attachment of the bracket 90 as well asattachment of the to a rod pivoting member 130.

[0061] As better illustrated in FIG. 6, the rod pivoting member 130 hasa rectangular or elongate configuration and includes a first bore 132for being secured relative to the rod 18 and a second bore 134 forreceiving the distal end 125 of the distal portion 124 of the releaselever 16. Because the rod pivoting member 130 is fixedly mountedrelative to the rod and pivotally attached proximate to the distal end125 of the release lever 16, rotating the release lever toward thehandle 26 will cause the distal end 125 of the release lever to moveaway from the handle 26. Such movement of the distal end 125 of therelease lever 16 will thus cause the rod 18 to rotate resulting inrotation of the release arm 34 at the distal end of the rod 18 to allowthe rim member 40 to swing from a first position to a second position asdiscussed herein. A biasing member 140 is coupled between the housing 32and the release lever 16 so as to bias the release lever and thus therod 18 to a position where the release arm 34 can engage with the rimmember 40 to hold it in a first position.

[0062] To get the rim member 40 into a ready position (i.e., a firstposition) when the rim member 40 is already in its released or secondposition, the rim engaging member 76 is flexed away from the rim member40 so that the rim member 40 can be rotated to its first position. Therelease lever 16 is then pulled toward the handle 26 so as to positionthe rim retaining member 52 for engagement with the arm 34. Releasingthe lever 16 will cause the arm 34 to rotate to a position of engagementwith the retaining member 52 and position the leg 70 beneath the handle20. The net 10 can then be placed in an upright position to provide afree standing net 10 for use by an angler.

[0063] When a fish is caught by the angler and the angler can reel thefish into the ice hole, the angler can insert the net 10 with one handinto the ice hole 50 and hold on to the fishing pole with the otherhand. Because the net 10 in a loaded state forms a crescent shaped netstructure (i.e., the net and supporting structure lies against the wallof the ice hole along one side thereof) the net can be inserted into theice hole 50 passed the fish without interfering with the fish or thefishing line. Once the net 36 and the rim 38 is below the fish, pullingthe release lever or trigger will cause the second rim member 40 toquickly rotate to a second position and open the net 36 for receivingthe fish therein. The ice fishing net 10 can then be lifted from the icehole 50 with the fish safely secured therein.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 7A, another preferred embodiment of an icefishing net 210 is comprised of an angled elongate handle 212, shown incross-section, having a net 214 secured to one end thereof and a netrelease mechanism 16 secured to the user end of the handle 212. The icefishing net 210 shown in FIG. 7A is shown in a released state such thatthe net 214 is held open for receiving a fish therein. The net 214 issecured to a basket assembly 218 which includes a fixed basket portion220 fixedly secured relative to the handle 212 and a pivotable basketportion 222. The pivotable basket portion can pivot relative to thedistal end of the handle 212 from a first position where the pivotableportion 222 abuts against the fixed basket portion 220 to a secondposition to hold the net open as shown in FIG. 7A.

[0065]FIG. 7B illustrates a front view of the ice fishing net 210. Thefixed basket portion forms a semi-cylindrical wall having a diameterthat is slightly less than the ice hole for which the ice fishing net210 is configured. Likewise, the pivotable basket portion 222 iscomprised of an elongate member having a semicircular configuration tomatch the diameter of the ice hole. Thus, when combined with the fixedbasket portion 220, the pivotable basket portion 222 in its releasedstate as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B form a circular opening sized to fitwithin a particularly sized ice hole.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 8, the ice fishing net 210 is illustratedin a “ready” or unreleased state. The pivotable basket portion 222 hasbeen rotated to abut against or be adjacent to the fixed basket portion220. In this configuration, the net 214 is held in a closed positionsuch that the net hangs in a substantially semicircular configurationbelow the basket portions 220 and 222. The handle 212 is comprised of ahollow tube to which the release mechanism 216 is attached. The releasemechanism 216 is comprised of a trigger 224 having a retaining pin 234,a biasing member or spring 226 secured between the proximal end 213 ofthe handle 212 and a slidable release member 228 that is slidable withinthe handle 212. An elongate section of cable 230 is secured between thedistal end of the slidable member and a small arm 232 secured to the rimof the pivotable basket portion 222 (see FIG. 7A). When set, the pin 217holds the When the trigger 224 is rotated toward the proximal end 213 ofthe handle 212, a pin 234 retaining the slidable member disengages fromthe handle 212 and allows the slidable member to travel toward theproximal end 213 of the handle causing the cable 230 to pull the arm 232and rotate the pivotable basket portion 222 to a closed position asshown in FIG. 7A.

[0067] In use, the ice fishing net 210 can be operated with one handwhile holding a fishing pole in the other. When a fish is caught andbrought within the hole, the basket assembly 218 as shown in FIG. 8 isinserted into the ice hole with one hand below the waters surface asufficient amount to receive the fish attached to the hook of thefishing line. When the fish is positioned above the bottom of the basketportion 222, the trigger 224 is pulled and the basket portion 222 snapsclosed to cause the net 214 to fill the ice hole as shown in FIG. 7A.The net 212 can then be raised to retrieve the fish from the ice hole.

[0068] While the ice fishing net of the present invention has beenillustrated in certain preferred embodiments to illustrate what isbelieved to be the best mode of the invention, it is contemplated thatupon review of the present invention, those of skill in the art willappreciate that various modifications and combinations may be made tothe present embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as recited in the claims. As such, the claims providedherein are intended to cover such modifications and combinations and allequivalents thereof. Therefore, reference herein to specific details ofthe illustrated embodiments is by way of example and not by way oflimitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. An fishing net, comprising: an elongate handlehaving a distal end and a proximal end; a net assembly connected to saidhandle proximate said distal end, said net assembly comprising a firstrim portion fixedly mounted relative to said handle, a second rimportion pivotally mounted relative to said first rim portion, and a netsupported by said first and second rim portions, said second rim portionbeing biased to rotate from a first position to a second position; and atrigger assembly connected to said handle and linked to said second rimportion for holding said second rim portion in said first position andfor selectively releasing said second rim portion to allow said secondrim portion to rotate from said first position to said second position.2. The fishing net of claim 1, wherein said handle comprises an elongatetube and said trigger assembly comprises a release lever coupled to anelongate rod within said elongate tube, said rod having a proximal endcoupled to said release lever for rotation of said rod and a distal endhaving a release arm for grasping said second rim portion when saidsecond rim portion is in said first position.
 3. The fishing net ofclaim 1, wherein said elongate handle is comprised of a tube and has afirst portion having a first longitudinal axis and a second portionhaving a second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axis and saidsecond longitudinal axis having an angle between them.
 4. The fishingnet of claim 3, wherein said trigger assembly comprises a biasing membercoupled to a slidable member housed within said tube for biasing saidslidable member toward said proximal end of said handle, a release pinfor holding said slidable member away from said proximal end of saidhandle and for releasing said slidable member to allow said slidablemember to slide toward said proximal end of said handle, and a cablecoupled between said second rim portion and said slidable member,whereby movement of said slidable member toward said proximal end ofsaid handle rotates said second rim portion to said second position. 5.The fishing net of claim 2, wherein said first rim portion and saidsecond rim portions have semicircular configurations having similarradii, said radii being less than a radius of an ice hole whilesubstantially encircling said an ice hole when said second rim portionis in said second position.
 6. The fishing net of claim 5, furtherincluding a rim retaining member depending therefrom positioned forengagement with said release arm when said second rim member is in saidfirst position.
 7. The fishing net of claim 6, further including anabutment member fixedly secured relative to said first rim member toprevent over rotation of said second rim member when said second rimmember swings from said first position to said second position.
 8. Thefishing net of claim 7, further including a rim engaging member forholding said second rim member in said second position.
 9. The fishingnet of claim 1, further including a spring coupled to said second rimmember for forcing said second rim member from said first position tosaid second position.
 10. The fishing net of claim 1, wherein said netassembly includes a first frame member and a second frame member eachfixedly mounted relative to said first rim portion, said second rimportion being pivotally mounted to and between said first frame memberand said second frame member.
 11. The fishing net of claim 1, furtherincluding a leg member depending from said second rim member so thatwhen said second rim member is in said first position, said leg memberand said first and second frame members are capable of supporting saidhandle in a standing position.
 12. An ice fishing net, comprising: anelongate handle having a distal end and a proximal end, said proximalend including a gripping portion for grasping by a user; a net rimassembly attached to said handle proximate said distal end thereof, saidnet rim including first and second semicircular rim members, said firstrim member fixedly mounted relative to said handle and said second rimmember rotatably mounted relative to said first rim member, said secondrim member rotatable from a first position to a second position to forma substantially circular rim; a trigger assembly coupled to said handleand including a release lever proximate said gripping portion forgrasping by a user and for allowing said second rim member to rotatefrom said first position to aid second position; a netting materialsecured relative to said first and second rim members for forming a netfor receiving a fish therein when said second rim member is in saidsecond position; a biasing device associated with said second rim memberfor biasing said second rim member from said first position to saidsecond position.
 12. The ice fishing net of claim 12, further includingan abutment member for stopping rotation of said second rim member atsaid second position;
 13. The ice fishing net of claim 12, furtherincluding a rim retaining member for holding said second rim member insaid second position and preventing said second rim member from rotatingback toward said first position.
 14. The ice fishing net of claim 13,further including at least one leg attached to said net rim assembly forsupporting said handle in an upright position when said ice fishing netis resting upon said net rim assembly.
 15. The ice fishing net of claim11, wherein said handle comprises an elongate tube and said is coupledto an elongate rod within said elongate tube, said rod having a proximalend coupled to said release lever for rotation of said rod and a distalend having a release arm for grasping said second rim member when saidsecond rim member is in said second position.
 16. The ice fishing net ofclaim 11, wherein said elongate handle comprises an elongate tube andhas a first portion having a first longitudinal axis and a secondportion having a second longitudinal axis, said first longitudinal axisand said second longitudinal axis having an angle between them.
 17. Theice fishing net of claim 16, wherein said trigger assembly comprises abiasing member coupled to a slidable member housed within said handlefor biasing said slidable member toward said proximal end of saidhandle, a release pin for holding said slidable member away from saidproximal end of said handle and for releasing said slidable member toallow said slidable member to slide toward said proximal end of saidhandle, and a cable coupled between said second rim portion and saidslidable member, whereby movement of said slidable member toward saidproximal end of said handle rotates said second rim portion to saidsecond position.